Edward Caradus: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Edward Caradus

|honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|post-nomscountry=NZL|OBE|size=100%}}

|image = Family Edward WgCdr.jpg

|caption =

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|death_place = [[Wellington]], New Zealand

|restingplace =

|residence =

|alma_mater = [[University of Auckland|Auckland University College]]

|occupation = Analytical chemist<br />Educator

|relatives = [[Elizabeth Caradus]] (grandmother)

}}

'''Edward Caradus''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=85%}} (6 December 1885 – 15 February 1969) was a New Zealand analytical chemist, educator and administrator. He developed a model for training aircrew during World War II. In 1949 he became the first chair of the [[New Zealand Qualifications Authority|National Trades Certification Board]].

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Caradus was born in [[Auckland]], New Zealand in 1885. His paternal grandparents, James and [[Elizabeth Caradus]], had emigrated to New Zealand in 1842 on the ships ''Jane Gifford'' and ''Duchess of Argyle''.

Between 1897 and 1902 Caradus was educated at [[Auckland Grammar School]], where he won a scholarship to attend [[Auckland University College]].<ref name="Evening Post">{{cite news | title=Chief Inspector Mr. E. Caradus appointed | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19410315.2.105&srpos=10 | accessdateaccess-date=27 March 2014 | newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)|Evening Post]] | date=15 March 1941 | page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Auckland Grammar School: Board of Education Senior Scholarships | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZH19010405.2.9 | accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014 | newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=5 April 1901|page=3}}</ref>

In 1904, while at university, Caradus was awarded the Sir George Grey Science Scholarship in chemistry. He graduated from Auckland University College with a Bachelor of Science in 1906.<ref>{{cite news | title=University examination results | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NZH19060402.2.64&cl=CL2.1906.04.02|accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014 | newspaper=The New Zealand Herald | date=2 April 1906 | page=6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/university5.html | title=NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Ca–Cl | website= http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/ | accessdateaccess-date=11 April 2014}}</ref>

Caradus joined the Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Company in [[Waihi]] as an analytical chemist in 1906, but in 1908 decided to pursue a career in education. [[George Douglas Robb]] was one of his early pupils and commented in his autobiography that chemistry, presented by Caradus in a didaticdidactic way, fired his imagination.<ref>Medical odyssey, Sir George Douglas Robb, Collins, 1967, page 15</ref>

Caradus taught at [[Wellington College (New Zealand)|Wellington College]] from 1909 to 1913 before becoming senior science master at Auckland Grammar School (1913–22) and first assistant at [[Nelson College]] (1922–26). He was appointed an inspector of secondary schools in 1926.<ref>{{cite news | title=Secondary schools: Two inspectors appointed | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19260213.2.127&cl=CL2.1926.02.13 | accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014 | newspaper=[[Auckland Star]] | date=13 February 1926 | page=14}}</ref> In 1937 he was promoted to senior inspector and in 1941 he became the chief inspector of secondary schools.<ref name="Evening Post"/>

Caradus was a member of the University Entrance Board and assisted the [[University of New Zealand]] to review the results of University Entrance and University Entrance Scholarship examinations.<ref name="Evening Post"/> He later made study of examination procedure and technique in relation to the New Zealand University Entrance examinations, which was published in about 1960.<ref>{{cite book | last=Caradus | first=Edward | title=University Entrance and Entrance Scholarships Examinations Scaling of Marks, 1931–1959 | year=1959 | publisher=Whitcombe & Tombs | url=httphttps://books.google.com.au/books/about/University_Entrance_and_Entrance_Scholar.html?id=6dTsygAACAAJ&redir_esc=y}}</ref>

==World War II==

In 1938 Caradus was the educational advisor to the Air Department. In 1942, during [[World War II]] the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) appointed Caradus as its director of educational services with the rank of [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]], while he also continued to work as senior inspector of secondary schools.<ref>{{cite news | title=Personal | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19420130.2.55&cl=CL2.1942.01.30 | accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014 | newspaper=Auckland Star | date=30 January 1942 | page=4}}</ref> Caradus was charged with the responsibility of ensuring a steady flow of appropriately educated young men, who would go on to train as aircrew with the RNZAF and the RAF.<ref name="Evening Post"/> In 1941 he was appointed chief inspector of secondary schools, but in 1943 the government decided his position of director of educational services was required on a full-time basis, and he was placed on leave from his chief inspector's role for the duration of the war.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air Force Education Service full-time director|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19431014.2.79&cl=CL2.1943.10.14 | accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014 | newspaper=Evening Post | date=14 October 1943 | page=6}}</ref>

Many potential pilots and navigators did not have the required education, but a lowering of standards would have been dangerous. Caradus devised and prepared a pre-entry course of educational training which covered elementary navigation, mathematics, elementary science and some service subjects.<ref>{{cite book |last=Caradus |first=E. |title=Air crew pre-entry course |year=1940 |publisher=Royal New Zealand Air Force |location=Wellington}}</ref><ref name=AFreport>{{citation | title=Air Department (Report on the), for the year 1939–40 |page=4 | url=http://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1940-I.2.3.2.47 | accessdateaccess-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> After a few weeks, however, it was found that men who were nominally up to standard were at a disadvantage on entering their service training in comparison with those who had done the pre-entry course. It was therefore decided that all except those with very high qualifications should take the course.<ref>{{cite book | last=Ross | first=J.M.S. | title=Royal New Zealand Air Force |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scholarly/tei-WH2AirF-c4-3.html | accessdateaccess-date=11 April 2014 | year=1955 | publisher=Historical Publications Branch | location=Wellington | isbn= | page=48}}</ref> The scheme was a great success and saw a vast increase in the number of graduates.<ref name=AFreport/>

The importance of the aircrew pre-entry education scheme to New Zealand's war effort was acknowledged by the Prime Minister, [[Peter Fraser (New Zealand politician)|Peter Fraser]]. The scheme was adopted by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] and served as a model for similar schemes in Britain and other countries of the then British Empire. Throughout his time in this position Caradus was also a member of the RNZAF Aircrew Selection Committee.<ref name="Evening Post"/>

By mid -1944 the focus of Caradus' role had changed from initial training to rehabilitation of returning airmen and sailors to the normal workforce. [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] personnel had also been brought under Caradus' purview.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19440722.2.47 | title=Men in Pacific: education services | date=22 July 1944 | work=Auckland Star | accessdateaccess-date=11 April 2014 | page=6}}</ref>

In Januarythe [[1946 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|1946 New Year Honours]], Caradus was appointed an [[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37410 |date=1 January 1946 |startpagepage=159 |supp=yes |accessdate=27 Marchy 2014}}</ref>

==Later life==

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In November 1946 [[Rex Mason]], Minister of Education, set up a consultative committee to examine the Education Department's technological examinations. There had been problems with these for some time and a fresh approach had become necessary. Caradus was appointed committee chair. The committee consisted of six educationalists and six industry representatives. The committee recommended setting up a National Trades Certification Board. The Government adopted the committee's recommendation and Caradus was appointed first chairman of the board in 1949.<ref>{{cite book |last=Alcorn |first=Noeline |title=To the fullest extent of his powers: C.E. Beeby's life in education |year=1999 |publisher=Victoria University Press |location=Wellington |isbn= 0864733534 |pages=136–137}}</ref>

In 1947, while attending a science conference in Perth, Australia, Caradus was invited by A.J. Gibson to address a royal commission into management, control and working of an Australian mechanical workshop.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/79615186nla.news-article79615186 | title=Training 'needed' | date=18 August 1947 | work=Daily News (Perth) | accessdateaccess-date=11 April 2014 | page=7}}</ref> In 1953, he was awarded the [[Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1953/37.pdf |title=Coronation Medal |work=Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette |issue=37 |date=3 July 1953 |access-date=17 April 2021 |pages=1021–1035}}</ref>

During his retirement, Caradus taught chemistry for two years part -time at [[Wellington East Girls' College]], and was on the boards of several organisations, such as the Rehabilitation Board, the [[Wellington Hospital Board]] and the Horowhenua Power Board. In 1957, Caradus came out of retirement and accepted the position of Headmaster at [[Scots College, Wellington]], New Zealand, for a period of two years. The Caradus Shield for the winners of the annual best house competition was named in his honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Inter-House competition is fierce & fun!|url=http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/news/inter-house-competition-fierce-fun|publisher=scotscollege.school.nz|accessdateaccess-date=27 March 2014}}</ref>

Caradus died on 15 February 1969, and his ashes were buried in [[Karori Cemetery]], Wellington.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries-search/details?id=30557&serviceType=Cremation |title=Cemeteries search: cremation |publisher=Wellington City Council |access-date=5 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries-search/details?id=39673&serviceType=Burial |title=Cemeteries search: burial |publisher=Wellington City Council |access-date=5 October 2018}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]]

* [[{{section link|First Labour Government of New Zealand#|Education]]}}

==References==

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==Further reading==

* [httphttps://books.google.com.au/books/about/Edward_Caradus_O_B_E_1885_1969.html?id=CV1WpwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y An Account of His Life]

* [http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/14989985/photo/IzHkh4p0C!22D7diRpbbJZTdbnkqBXZhGOGbAFjQG2E7VGAjlTw3nKdTym82TkMl Obituary]

{{authority control}}

{{Persondata

| NAME = Caradus, Edward

{{DEFAULTSORT:Caradus, Edward}}

| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =

| SHORT DESCRIPTION = New Zealand chemist

| DATE OF BIRTH = 6 December 1885

| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Auckland]], New Zealand

| DATE OF DEATH = 15 February 1969

| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Wellington]], New Zealand

}}

[[Category:1885 births]]

[[Category:1969 deaths]]

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[[Category:New Zealand schoolteachers]]

[[Category:Nelson College faculty]]

[[Category:New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]

[[Category:New Zealand people of World War II]]

[[Category:University of Auckland alumni]]

[[Category:Burials at Karori Cemetery]]

[[Category:Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel]]

[[Category:Wellington Hospital Board members]]